Author Topic: Why no love for A.M.F.? (Read 7364 times)

Juggernaut · « **on:** January 11, 2010, 01:32:26 PM »

I've noticed that, with other companies, there's always a "buzz", always looking forward, always someone looking for a hint of what's next and, when the rumors start, users go into fan mode. Balls aren't even out good before they're added to the reviews list and 20 people review them. Even internet websites know they're coming and have pre-sale order events.

But not so with A.M.F.. Heck, two great looking balls hit the market today, and hardly anybody even took notice. I checked with several reputable online shops, and didn't see them listed anywhere. Heck, as long as the HYPE's have been out, you still can't review them here on this site.

They're made by a really good company, one that makes balls for several different companies that are always out there in the forefront, but it seems as though A.M.F. always ends up like a red-headed step child, overlooked and ignored.

Just the other night in league, I was throwing my CODE and my ORBIT EXTREME, and a guy asked me "Where did you get those, I though they went out of business years ago".

Is A.M.F. actually a serious player, or are they just a flashy sideline ball for 900G?
--------------------
Good transactions list in my profile

ILLEGITIMI, NON-CARBORUNDUM!

LaneHammer20 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 11, 2010, 09:51:38 PM »

I feel what you are saying. What many still don't understand is that they ARE basically 900 global, just different reaction shapes. It is like having one big line of balls to choose from and I love it. You can find ANY ball reaction you want out of 900/AMF line.

I would put any of my AMF balls that I have against any body else's stuff from any company.

I can't wait to get my hands on a clutch pearl
--------------------
What is sandbagging???

DON DRAPER · « **Reply #2 on:** January 11, 2010, 09:54:46 PM »

if brunswick's bowling ball division ever went out of business( hold the applause )900 global/amf would probably be at the top of my list of bowling equipment to look into.

beachcomberjones · « **Reply #3 on:** January 11, 2010, 11:12:06 PM »

A lot of people still don't know they are poured by 900 Global. The brand name of AMF has had a lot of bad years in the past, now to over come that stigma and even think about gaining a diehard following they have to produce some really over the top stuff that will cause people to gravitate to the equipment.

I think they have really transformed the line over the past two years and it will slowly gain more momentum in the industry but I think it will be a slow process, because you have to keep in mind the number #1 goal is to keep 900 global at the fore front as it is right now. Growing even that much bigger and more advanced that other companies without devoting too much energy to its smaller subsidiaries.

I'd love to see AMF turn into a proving ground for new 900 Global equipment, experimental core/cover combos etc... The day will come when they get the credit they deserve

stormed1 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 11, 2010, 11:28:14 PM »

To me I kind of relate them like Storm/Roto One companies offerings compliment the others.In my area there are not maqny people throwing either Global or AMF.When people ask me what i'm throwing I proudly tell them What. I love my Hype urethane and have already ordered a Clutch Pearl
--------------------
Arsenal: Mega Friction, S-75, Break Point x 2, Break x2,Clutch x 2,Maniac,Awakening,Lunatic,SX-1,Link,Hype urethane,Global Globe, 14# golden globe

http://s485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/stormed1/My%20Arsenal/
Bowlingboards.com

Jay · « **Reply #5 on:** January 12, 2010, 02:13:10 AM »

Except people can't throw both Storm/Roto and say they're basically the same company. Not like you can with 900 Global/AMF.

It's true that AMF in particular probably doesn't get enough credit, but in most cases I think it's the pro shops not putting these balls in their customers' hands(the ones that don't know what they need). The people that know better probably just have their preferences and they don't include AMF.
--------------------
Justin
Bowling Boards

stormed1 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 12, 2010, 07:03:27 AM »

To me there are a lot of parallels between Storm/Roto and Global AMF. Roto was in the same "red headed stepchild" status until the Cell came out. Both organizations share design teams with the sister company. If your looking for a ball reaction shape and one company doesn't have it the other usually does. I personally am excited about AMF's return to "glory" with their releases over the last couple of years as all my award scores but 2 wee done with AMF equipment.
--------------------
Arsenal: Mega Friction, S-75, Break Point x 2, Break x2,Clutch x,Maniac,Awakening,Lunatic,SX-1,Link,Hype urethane,Global Globe, 14# golden globe

http://s485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/stormed1/My%20Arsenal/
Bowlingboards.com

Juggernaut · « **Reply #7 on:** January 12, 2010, 07:09:24 AM »

Very valid comments guys. It just seems like almost the entire industry pays A.M.F. little, or no, attention.

Professional bowlers hardly use them at all (Michael Haugen used them for a short while, winning a couple of tourneys), proshops have an almost "ho-hum" attitude towards them, and I find a lot of guys that don't even seem to know there still even IS an A.M.F. company out there.

I even had two of the top bowlers here above me ( I am in the top 5-6 in average ) tell me that I could do much better if I'd get some "real" bowling equipment. Naturally one of them uses Storm, the other Ebonite, and had NO CLUE what either of the balls I was using was designed to do, so I dared one of them to throw a few shots with my CODE ( which fit him really closely).

HE WAS AMAZED! He's a big fan of the Hammer RAW line, and said the CODE gave him a truer read of the midlane and a harder roll on the backend and carried as well as anything he had. Even said he might look into A.M.F. a little more now.

THIS IS GOOD STUFF FOLKS, as good as there is out there, especially when you consider that Phil Cardinale is the one behind it and has as much experience with what makes great bowling equipment as anybody in the industry.

I just wish the bowling community would take them seriously again. A.M.F. used to be the premier name in bowling equipment and, while it may never be the premier name it once was, it doesn't have to be bowlings "ugly duckling" either, does it?
--------------------
Good transactions list in my profile

ILLEGITIMI, NON-CARBORUNDUM!

LaneHammer20 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 12, 2010, 08:05:11 AM »

I love this post. Great words Juggernaut, it makes me want to get my Code's thumb pitch changed, man i Loved that ball when I was using it.
--------------------
What is sandbagging???

dizzyfugu · « **Reply #9 on:** January 12, 2010, 08:41:30 AM »

IMHO it is poor marketing and positioning. What does AMF stand for? Is the brand as such desirable? How does it differentiate itself from others on the market? Sure the balls are good, but that won't sell (alone).

I cannot see any clear answer to this, and Juggernaut's quote "Where did you get those, I though they went out of business years ago" is pretty symptomatic.
It is IMO a zombie brand, ugly duckling, a milk cow in or even worse in 900 Global's brand portfolio. This is not intended as a bash, I just feel that this traditional brand is either neglected at will, or just is not "allowed" to shine on the market, in order not to interfere with the star brand 900 Global.

IMHO a sad status.
--------------------
DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany

Confused by bowling? Check out BR.com's vault of wisdom: the unofficial FAQ section

Juggernaut · « **Reply #10 on:** January 12, 2010, 09:53:57 AM »

Being as the original A.M.F. company still exists (incidentally A.M.F. stands for American Machine & Foundry) and 900G only has the rights to the name as pertaining to the production and marketing of bowling balls. it may be a little tricky as to what they are and aren't allowed to do as far as promotions.

I don't think it is so much neglected as it is purposefully kept in the shadows of its "big brother" company, 900Global.

I understand wanting your marquee, namesake brand to lead the way, and it does that very well, but, why even have a secondary brand if you aren't going to promote it enough for it to gain at least some significance? Is it merely to be used as a sounding board or experimental grounds for R & D, much as Columbia300 did with Nu-Line?

And why bother putting out really great stuff if nobody is ever going to know about it? Just go ahead and add another 900Global line and when you DO happen onto something great, just put it in there and let the A.M.F. brand remain in ignonimity, right?

There are several things I love about my A.M.F. stuff:
1. A.M.F. still holds the stigma of greatness for me. I can still remember when there were two kinds of bowlers, those who threw A.M.F. and those who wanted to.

2. The simplicity of the equipment while still giving great variety for bowlers of all types on all conditions. From strong symmetric to medium asymmetric and from particle to pearl, they have all the bases covered.

3. Phil Cardinale'sknowledge and experience in ball technology, backed up by Eric Thomas' customer service and relations. There are a few companies that have great reputations and responsiveness, and I have found Eric to be quite helpful and responsive, even though I am just "one guy" asking questions.

4. They march to their own beat. While much of the bowling ball market keeps making the next great "hook machine", A.M.F. turns out balls that aren't nearly as specialized and can be used by a wider variety of bowlers. Sure, they have their own monster aggressive ball, but not every new release is designed to simply outperform their last one.
--------------------
Good transactions list in my profile

ILLEGITIMI, NON-CARBORUNDUM!

RealBowler · « **Reply #11 on:** January 12, 2010, 01:06:55 PM »

I think it comes down to a lack of marketing. The team is really good about coming here and answering questions, but I have a feeling they have a really small staff and just don't have the ability to get out and hype the products.

I know that other than when I was travelling through Richmond (VA) and stopped at one of the AMF centers, I've never seen an AMF ball in any pro shop that I've ever been in. I've asked about them and always seem to get the same reply - they don't sell, so we don't stock them. Some shop owners even just come out and say they don't stock them because "the other guys" give them free balls.

You don't see a lot of reviews on here, but it seems that the same people post mini reviews or videos. Not sure if they are staff members or just AMF faithful?

The stuff is usually easy enough to find online and they've put out a lot of new equipment in the past year, they seem to be content to do it quietly.

9orbetter · « **Reply #12 on:** January 12, 2010, 03:51:34 PM »

(Realbowler: lack of marketing). Exactly, when i was throwing my Heist, others thought it was a Track Rising or and old Columbia Cuda. great equipment if you matchup with core/cover and proper drill for what you are looking to use it on....9
--------------------
We all can hit the pocket,just carry the damn corners

www.coachscornerproshop.com

Brickguy221 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 12, 2010, 04:07:23 PM »

I'm on my second Heist and love it just as much as the first one I had. This ball is so versatile and covers a wide range of conditions from medium-light to medium-heavy oil which is the conditions I bowl on....and the back end is so strong. When this ball turns the corner, it keeps going and continues thru the pin deck and never quits.
--------------------
"Whenever I feel the urge to exercise I lie down until the feeling passes away."

Brick

FBM357 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 12, 2010, 05:40:32 PM »

quote:
(Realbowler: lack of marketing). Exactly, when i was throwing my Heist, others thought it was a Track Rising or and old Columbia Cuda. great equipment if you matchup with core/cover and proper drill for what you are looking to use it on....9
--------------------
We all can hit the pocket,just carry the damn corners
www.coachscornerproshop.com

The CODE ... The CODE ... THE CODE!!!!!! ...

Yo, Congrats on 1st Place!!!

Author Topic: Why no love for A.M.F.? (Read 7364 times)

Juggernaut

Why no love for A.M.F.?

LaneHammer20

Re: Why no love for A.M.F.?

DON DRAPER

Re: Why no love for A.M.F.?

beachcomberjones

Re: Why no love for A.M.F.?

stormed1

Re: Why no love for A.M.F.?

Jay

Re: Why no love for A.M.F.?

stormed1

Re: Why no love for A.M.F.?

Juggernaut

Re: Why no love for A.M.F.?

LaneHammer20

Re: Why no love for A.M.F.?

dizzyfugu

Re: Why no love for A.M.F.?

Juggernaut

Re: Why no love for A.M.F.?

RealBowler

Re: Why no love for A.M.F.?

9orbetter

Re: Why no love for A.M.F.?

Brickguy221

Re: Why no love for A.M.F.?

FBM357

Re: Why no love for A.M.F.?